FEELS LIKE FRIDAY VOL. 3

People had me fucked up this week. It’s probably because I was fasting. But my curls have been flourishing so I count it all joy.

But sometimes you still gotta remind these niggas.

I worked during the holiday, worked late at my “9-to-5”, worked on my side gigs, momentarily hopped back into my community organizing bag, had a middle-aged man try to mishandle me and I told him that I welcome the smoke if it comes down to it. My students were amazing all week, and put me on chick-fil-a fries in Polynesian sauce (I’m a chick-fil-a sauce kind of girl but the Polynesian was hitting).

It’s been a week, Chile. But I’m ending the week on my St. Louis shit, doing shit to make me feel better. #TGIF #MakeThatMoneyDontLetItMakeYou

The goal-diggers talk a lot about the first quarter. In this first quarter the brand has been building, laying foundations, making plays. Individually, I’ve been doing the same. Reflecting on the kind of year I want for myself and manifesting it before next week ushers in my 29th year of life. This week's list needed to reflect those things. The opulence of a Maybach Music installment to describe the success I see the brand and myself having this year, balanced with the awareness that materialistic things aren’t nearly as important as God, family or the culture. A little shit talking to make it clear that in 2019 you’re about to see the next level of what you’ve already experienced: another year of outworking whoever, with the culture and for the culture.

My Father used to tell me, “Life is going to kick you in your ass.” Just like that, every bit of bluntness you can imagine. We must first, develop an acquaintanceship with our pain, fears and problems. We need to get completely comfortable with what we find uncomfortable about ourselves and our journey. The embracing of these issues will eventually give us the callous mentality that’s a necessity when facing the painful bullshit life hurls our way.

The past few weeks have been heavy in my world. A lot of push and pull, and trying to figure out why certain things refuse to come together while other things continue to fall apart. This week was the first time I recognized it for what it really was:

Growing Pains.

Sometimes our plans don’t pan out because we’d never step into what we’re actually supposed to be doing if things were shaping up how we wanted. We’d never take hold of the best our lives have to offer because we’d be so comfortable with lives, careers, relationships, and plans that are just, well . . . decent. Even when it doesn’t feel quite right.

So on this Friday I’m grateful that God isn’t letting me stay comfortable enough to settle for decent, even though it’s been uncomfortable in the in-between.

My childhood sounds like books on tape during my mother’s sorority meetings, the Tom Joyner Morning Show on the way to school, and a cassette tape collection that, looking back, just don't make no sense. So I made The TJones Tapes, a list of songs inspired by the music my mother listens to, the movies she watches, and the cassette tape collection that never failed us.

Being independent doesn’t mean you can’t have reach. Not being an artist doesn't mean there is less room in the industry for you. But when you make the most of what you can do, and commit to learning the game, you just might find that what is meant for you, won’t miss you. Just ask Vince Valholla.